If you or family member require mental health and wellbeing support but don’t meet the criteria to access Northern Health Mental Health Services, there are a number of other organisation that may be able to help:
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) provide specialist mental health treatment and care to children and adolescents up to 18 years of age. These services assess and treat children and adolescents (0-18 years) with moderate to severe, complex and disabling problems and disorders, and assist those with less severe problems with information and advice about where and how to get help and facilitate referral as appropriate. Northern Health is NOT a provider of specialist child and adolescent mental health services.
Referral Pathway
The referral pathway encompasses reception, triage, intake, treatment and care, and discharge.
Reception: This includes the collection of basic contact details
Triage: This step includes a triage assessment and a conversation with a specialist mental health clinician about your concerns. A decision is made about what type of service you or your young person may need based on this assessment. You may be referred to your GP, a counsellor, private psychiatrist or Head Space. If accepted for service, the referral moves to an Intake assessment.
Intake: the young person receives an intake assessment to determine the services required to support their care needs.
Treatment and Care: This step includes clinical assessment by the Psychiatrist, treatment planning, treatment delivery, monitoring and review.
Discharge: Once a person is assessed as no longer needing public specialist mental health services, they are discharged. A discharge plan can include referral to a general practitioner, private psychiatrist or Head Space.
Which Service Do I Access?
Services for Child and Adolescent Mental Health are provided based on the location where you live. The link below provides useful information on which service to contact and how to contact Triage to make a referral. http://www3.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealthservices/child/index.htm Darebin & Whittlesea residents should contact 1300 874 243 Hume & Merri-Bek residents should contact 1800 445 511 Mitchell & Murrindinidi residents should contact 1300 369 005
Further Information:
Department of Health website: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/mental-health-services/mental-health-services-for-children-and-adolescents
Whittlesea Mental Health and Wellbeing Local
The Whittlesea MH and Wellbeing Hub Local provides support to consumers, and if comfortable, their families, carers and supporters, to design a care plan that meets their goals and preferences. Adults experiencing distress or wanting support for their mental health and wellbeing can visit or call the service.
All support is free and a referral and Medicare card are not required.
Address:
7/1 Danaher Drive, South Morang VIC 3752
Wurundjeri country
Phone: 1800 571 145
Email: whittlesealocalservice@neaminational.org.au
Click here for the Whittlesea MH and Wellbeing Local website
Northern East Mental Health And Wellbeing Connect
North East Metro Connect is a warm and welcoming space for families, carers, supporters and kin of people challenged by mental health and/or alcohol and other drug use. They provide a range of services for Victorian families and carers including information, resources and practical support for health and wellbeing. All support is free and referral is not required. People of all ages can access the Connect services.
Address: 3/50 Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe VIC 3079
Phone: (03) 8850 4150
Email: northeastmetroconnect@accesshc.org.au
Click here for the NE Metro mental Health and Well-being Connect website
Head to Health
Whether you are looking for mental health support for yourself, someone you care about, or just trying to improve your wellbeing – Head to Health is a good place to start.
Head to Health helps everyone access the mental health and wellbeing services that are right for them. It makes it easier to navigate and choose the most suitable care options, whether that’s face-to-face, via phone, or online.
Head to Health is a free confidential service
Phone: 1800 595 212
Click here for the Head to Health Website
CAREinMIND Wellbeing Support Service
CAREinMIND Wellbeing Support Service is a 24/7 telehealth provider that offers free professional phone and online counselling for anyone who lives or works in north, central and western Melbourne.
A medical referral is not required to initiate contact. This means free professional counselling can be accessed anywhere, at a time that is convenient to you
Call and talk with a professional counsellor now on 1300 096 269 at any time
Click here for the CareInMind website
Other supports
Drug and Alcohol Supports
If you are concerned about your own drinking or drug use or concerned about a family member, friend or someone you support, please click here a list of organisations you can contact.
Independent Mental Health Advocacy
Call 1300 947 820 to speak to an advocate about your rights and for support to speak up about your assessment, treatment and recovery
Click here for the IMHA website
The Compassionate Friends Victoria
The Compassionate Friends Victoria provide peer-to-peer support services for individuals (18+ years) bereaved of a child, sibling, or grandchild:
- 24-hour grief support line: 03 9888 4944 or 1300 064 068
- One-on-One Grief Support
- Support Groups, Social Gatherings, and Workshops
- Accessible Virtual Support – online counselling and virtual events
